Suggested programs

Getting started

Articles on this site

There are nearly 400 pages of free, online articles on this site. They provide an extensive overview of Web Services, related standards, and technologies that can be used in service-oriented architectures. Click here to see a table of contents for the articles on this site. You can also search for specific topics using the search box that appears either at the left or the right of your screen.

Books

With all the books available on technical subjects, it is sometimes difficult to know which ones are worthwhile. If you are looking for book recommendations, click here to see some books that will likely be of use to many people.

Webcasts

You can have the equivalent of attending conference programs by listening to free Webcasts. Here are two possibilities where you can find many Webcasts to choose from:

Speaking with Doug Barry

Sometimes speaking with an experienced person is the easiest way to get started. Doug Barry is available for phone consultation. Doug is the author of the articles on this site and is also a book author, magazine columnist, guest lecturer, international speaker, mentor, and consultant specializing in Web Services and related technologies. Click here for more on Doug Barry. You can schedule time with Doug for as little as one hour, or longer as you see fit. Contact Doug Barry at or +1-952-892-6113.

One-day moderated discussion and change workshop

If you are interested in having your group exchange ideas, concerns, and opportunities for a service-oriented architecture in order to achieve a deeper, shared vision of what a such an architecture might mean for your organization, this it the one-day program for you. In the morning and early afternoon, Doug Barry leads your group through a practical discussion designed of how to use of Web Services and develop a service-oriented architecture in your organization. Later in the afternoon, the change workshop explores resistance to change and how to it – all within the context of adopting a service-oriented architecture. Click on each of links below for more information on each session. This is designed for the same people to participate in both sessions. For more information on having Doug Barry this program, contact him at or +1-952-892-6113.

One-day overview

This provides a one-day overview with a morning program for a general audience and an afternoon program covering topics more technical in nature. For more information on having Doug Barry conduct this program, contact him at or +1-952-892-6113.

Multi-day program

If you want a more comprehensive approach, this is a suggested program for an organization just starting to consider Web Services. It is meant to prepare you for the first stage of adoption identified in Doug Barry's Web Services and Service-Oriented Architectures: The Savvy Manager's Guide. 

Stage 1: Experiment with Web Services: This program will get you started with Stage 1 experimentation. Experimentation could involve adding external Web Services to a Web site or portal, having an application server access a single system using Web Services, adapting two existing systems to exchange data using Web Services, or something else more suitable to your organization. The intent of this program is to provide non-technical management, technical management, and technical staff an understanding of the concepts of Web Services, development tools, and to get you started as quickly as possible.

This program may be customized to meet your organization's needs. For more information on having Doug Barry conduct programs, contact him at or +1-952-892-6113.

Note: The design facilitation that occurs during the last two days can be augmented with on-going mentoring services from Doug Barry. This mentoring would help guide the team as it builds up expertise using Web Services. More on mentoring.